This time tomorrow I will be on a plane to San Francisco, Taipei and then onto Thailand nearly 24hrs flying total between 3 flights. I am going as part of a May term class that the focus of the study experience as copied from the course description, "to explore concepts in global citizenship and responsibility in the 21st
century by understanding the educational, health and developmental needs
of rural Thai citizens as well as indigenous populations through
cultural immersion and active participation in service projects designed
to provide benefits to the local peoples. Students will participate in
service projects in two distinct rural Thai villages, one near the
Burmese border in Mae Sot, and one in the rural Northeast near Khon
Kaen, that will help alleviate some of the health, educational and
developmental issues present, while staying with local families within
the villages. Other activities will include tours of historically
significant sites in Thailand, sightseeing in Bangkok as well as
spending a day with Burmese refugee children at a refugee school and
visiting an HIV/AIDS hospice." So what do I really expect out of this trip for myself personally but also just what the hell do I think is going to happen beyond the course description.
If it is one thing that I know for sure, at least in my case, I learn more outside and between classes than ever in the classroom. I really thrive in the 'real world' hands on applications, and just doing something. So will I be changing the world over there? No. Will I make a difference to someone or to some community? I hope so but there is never a guarantee. I can set out and do the motions of the trip and all but doing that doesn't mean I will learn anything. I am going into this trip feeling so many different things.
I am feeling scared for being away from home and my partner for so long. I am nervous about being in a new culture and adapting but also excited for it. I am grateful for the opportunity given to me to go by my family, especially my parents, and also for my recovery as 3 years ago when I wanted and begged to go on this trip they said. "no" because I wasn't healthy. Now 3 years later with some major things changed and some still a work in progress, as I am not perfect and this is a long marathon, I get to go. I am anxious to be around so many new people but thankful I have connected kinda with 1 or 2. Others I know a little from our fundraiser events but excited to hopefully make more friends. I am kinda glad I will be disconnected mainly from the rest of the world and my life. I am eager to learn so much about Thailand, the language, Thai and Buddhist culture and everything in between. Glad I am bringing my journal too as internet access will be limited to hotels and not so much in the villages. However, if anyone wants to keep up with my trip they should follow this blog:
Thailand Blog where we are all going to be writing blogs occassionally, have already posted some great research about Thailand.I did mine on mental health care (to describe it in general terms) in Thailand and it can be found here:
Mental Health Care In Thailand. If you have a Facebook there will be pictures posted on the May term Facebook page where you can 'like' it and it will show up in your newsfeed if there are new stuff here:
Facebook Page
So I think all in all, yes I have some much going in my head but I think in the end I am just taking it as it comes. One thing at a time and I know I will be ok and thrive. I know I have the courage within myself to do this and the strength to be gone away from home and sustain recovery. It is 24 days long but I will be ok. So until June don't expect a call, text, or email, FB etc. Some of you will get them probably anyways the day I land but I will have major jet lag come May30th from 20+ hours of flying and Bangkok is 13hrs ahead so I will be losing all of that come then too. I can do this.
Devyn
